HUDSON, Ohio — The Special Olympics Hudson chapter hosted their annual “Challenger Game."

The game gave Special Olympics athletes the chance to showcase their talents. Athletes like Sara Platt.

What You Need To Know

  • Special Olympics in Hudson partnered with the Hudson Hawks, a youth football program in the community, for their annual "Challenger Game"

  • The game raises money for Special Olympics in Hudson while allowing the athletes to showcase their talents 

  • The goal is to support Special Olympics athletes and promote inclusion

“It’s really fun out there,” Platt said. 

The Hudson Special Olympics partnered with the Hudson Hawks, which is a youth football program in the community.

Seniors from the Hudson High School varsity football team partnered up with Special Olympics athletes for the game. They played against Hudson’s 7th grade team.

Chris Guerri was one of the many people there to watch the game and his son David has been participating in the Special Olympics for years. Guerri said his son really enjoys it.

“The community comes out and the high schoolers join the Special Olympians and it just makes them feel cool and they want to be loved just like everybody else,” Guerri said. 

Eva Forrest, a Hudson High School student, performed the National Anthem ahead of the game. She was excited about how included she and others felt.

“It just makes me feel so amazing that all of these people get to get included in something amazing like this,” Forrest said.

Platt has been playing in the Challenger Game for years and she expressed how special it is for her.

“I feel like that we’re inspiring others in the entire world and we are just beautiful creatures of the earth. We’re making a difference,” Platt said.

The Hudson Hawks raised $15,000 for Special Olympics Hudson, which will pay for the Special Olympics athletes in Hudson to take part in their sports for a year.